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EU foreign ministers discussed lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against targets on Russian territory, according to the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. "We discussed the need to provide more air defense systems, particularly Patriot systems, and lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of supplied weapons for attacks on Russian territory. This debate is now gaining momentum," he noted.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly adopted a declaration calling for faster weapon supplies to Ukraine and the lifting of restrictions on strikes by Western weapons on Russian territory, according to the PA NATO press service. The declaration was approved by a majority of over 200 legislators from all 32 Alliance countries. PA head Mykhailo Shcherba stated that Ukraine can only defend itself if it can attack Russian supply lines and bases. "It's time to recognize this reality and allow Ukraine to do what it must. NATO will be significantly weakened and lose credibility if we continue with half-measures," Shcherba said.

Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, has criticized what he describes as increasingly extreme proposals from European politicians regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He pointed out ideas such as sending troops to Ukraine, intercepting Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory, the risk of nuclear war, and the potential for European conscription, questioning what other "wild ideas" might emerge at the Council on Foreign Affairs meeting. Additionally, Szijjártó reiterated Hungary's opposition to the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia. He emphasized that such measures are contrary to Hungary's energy interests, highlighting the country's reliance on Russian energy supplies.

The European Union has approved a new law aimed at limiting methane emissions, which will have significant implications for gas imports, including those from Russia. Starting in 2030, the legislation will impose restrictions on methane emissions associated with the import of oil and gas into Europe. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas and the second largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide. It significantly exacerbates global warming when released into the atmosphere through leaks in oil and gas pipelines and related infrastructure. By targeting methane emissions, the EU's new law aims to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel imports and enhance efforts to combat climate change. This move is expected to affect countries that export gas to Europe, including Russia, by requiring stricter environmental controls and possibly reducing the volume of gas imports that do not meet the new standards.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Madrid, where he was greeted at Barajas airport by King Felipe VI of Spain. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral security ties and discuss further defense cooperation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. In his statement, Zelenskyy emphasized the focus of the talks: "We will talk about the continuation of defense cooperation, preparation of a new package of military aid, and training of the Ukrainian military." This visit underscores the ongoing commitment between Ukraine and Spain to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The meeting is expected to result in a significant security agreement and the announcement of a new package of military aid, reinforcing Spain's support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

The war in Ukraine has exposed a critical vulnerability in the allies' plans to arm Ukraine: a shortage of explosives needed to produce shells and missiles. Each artillery shell requires approximately 10.8 kg of high explosives, such as TNT, Octogen, or Hexogen, and throwing projectiles over long distances also necessitates significant amounts of propellants. The situation is even more dire for other munitions, such as the Storm Shadow missile, which has a high-explosive warhead weighing 450 kg. The challenge lies in the limited capacity of explosives manufacturers to ramp up production. The end of the Cold War led many European manufacturers to scale down or cease operations, resulting in the closure of plants and the privatization or mothballing of state enterprises. For example, the UK closed its last explosives plant in 2008. Restarting these mothballed plants is not a simple task. It requires significant retooling and rebuilding of capacity. Additionally, the industry faces a shortage of skilled workers, as older engineers retire and fewer young people enter the profession. The supply chain for critical raw materials, such as chemical precursors and cotton fibers, is also strained. Nitric acid, essential for producing nitrocellulose, is in short supply due to its use in fertilizer production. Cotton fibers are predominantly imported from China, adding to the supply chain complexity. This shortage presents a significant obstacle to the allies' efforts to support Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression, highlighting the need for strategic planning and investment in the defense industry's infrastructure and workforce.